About Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program
Tax credit authority under the Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program will be made available to qualified community development entities, commencing February 10, 2023.
This program is modeled after the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program.
Notice of Availability and Request for Applications
The Finance Authority of Maine (“FAME”) is pleased to announce that tax credit authority under the Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program (the “Program”) will be made available to qualified community development entities, commencing February 10, 2023.
Previously allocated tax credit authority corresponding to approximately $1,492,248 of qualified equity investments, has lapsed under 10 MRSA §1100-Z(3)(F), and is available for reallocation.
Qualified community development entities that are interested in being awarded reallocated tax credit authority under the Program are instructed to file an Allocation Application with required attachments and the required $1,000.00 Allocation Application Fee, with the Authority on or after February 10, 2023, via hand-delivery, mail, express mail, courier or electronic means, provided, however, that the Applicant is responsible for ensuring receipt of the Application by FAME. Any Allocation Application received prior to February 10, 2023 shall be deemed received on February 10, 2023.
Completed Allocation Applications will be processed in the order received, with those received on the same date to be treated as received simultaneously. Allocation authority will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with available tax credit authority pro-rated among approved applications received on the same date to the extent insufficient amounts of authority remain to make full awards on such date.
Program terms and conditions, including eligibility requirements, are found at 10 MRSA §1100-Z, 36 MRSA §5219-HH; and Chapter 325 (.doc file) of the Rules of the Finance Authority of Maine.
The Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program attracts investment capital to low-income communities by allowing investors to receive a state tax credit on equity investments they make in Community Development Entities (CDEs).
Funding
Funded in cooperation with Maine Revenue Services and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. Administered by FAME.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to participate in the program, a CDE must be certified as a qualified Community Development Entity by the secretary of the United States Treasury, and be a party to an existing allocation agreement with the Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund that is in effect and not subject to revocation or cancellation. The allocation agreement must have Maine in its service area. In addition, the CDE must be able to answer four of the following five questions affirmatively:
- Has the CDFI Fund been awarded multiple rounds of federal New Markets Tax Credit allocation to the CDE, its controlling entity or other entity controlled by the same controlling entity?
- Has the CDE, its controlling entity or other entity controlled by the same controlling entity, participated as a qualified community development entity in a state New Markets Tax Credit program or made an investment in this state that qualifies for federal New Markets Tax Credits?
- Has the CDE, its controlling entity or other entity controlled by the same controlling entity, made an investment qualified for tax credits in a business located in a nonmetropolitan census tract?
- Has the CDE, its controlling entity or other entity controlled by the same controlling entity, made an investment qualified for tax credits in a state where it did not previously have substantial operations?
- Has the CDE, its controlling entity or other entity controlled by the same controlling entity, explored potential investment opportunities in Maine that would qualify for credits under the program?
Basic Terms
- A CDE may seek an allocation of tax credit authority, reserving tax credit eligibility for later qualified equity investments, by filing an allocation application with FAME.
- An approved allocation of tax credit authority shall be valid for up to two years.
- Upon receipt of qualified equity investments under the approved allocation, and reinvestment in a qualified active low-income community business for use in a low-income community in the state, the CDE must file a certification application with FAME providing the details of the transaction.
- FAME will review the certification application to determine if the qualified equity investment is eligible for program tax credits, and if approved, provide notice to the CDE and to Maine Revenue Services of the persons eligible for credits and the amount thereof. Maximum eligible investment per qualified active low-income community business is $40,000,000.
- Eligible tax credit recipients may receive refundable state income tax credits of up to 39% of their eligible investment, which may be taken in increments over seven years (0%, 0%, 7%, 8%, 8%, 8%, 8%).
Reporting Requirements
A CDE that has been awarded tax credit allocation authority must file an annual report with FAME. See program rule (.doc file) for reporting requirements.
Recapture
If a CDE violates the Rule or provisions of relevant statutes, the tax credits may be subject to recapture pursuant to 36 MRSA Section 5219-HH.
How to Apply
Download and complete the program application form. Mail your printed application form to FAME at PO Box 949, Augusta, ME 04332-0949.
Application Downloads
Contact
For additional information, please contact FAME General Counsel Christopher Roney via email or by phone at 207-620-3520.
Allocatee Contact List (Reallocation)
Click below to view contact information for current program allocatees:
Allocatee Contact List
| Allocatee | Contact | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advantage Capital Community Development Fund XXXIII, LLC 909 Poydras Street, Suite 2230 New Orleans, LA 70112 | Michael Johnson, Managing Director | mjohnson@advantagecap.com | 504-522-4850 |
| CEI Capital Management, LLC 30 Federal Street, Suite 200 Brunswick, ME 04011 | Traci Vaine, Chief Executive Officer | traci.vaine@ceicapitalmgmt.com | 207-772-2886 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation 28 Liberty Street, Floor 34 New York, NY 10005 | Kevin Boes, Senior Vice President | kboes@newmarkets.org | 312-697-6467 |
| Pacesetter CDE Inc. 300 West 6th Street, Suite 1540 Austin, TX 78701 | Jim Stanislaus, Manager Petros Maine Manager LLC | Jim@petrospartners.com | 512-599-9026 |
